Detailed techniques not provided to plan and carry out project management activities

Leadership and People management skills are not coded in the method

No flexibility offered on adapting the best practices as it is more sort of a method

Not much emphasis on guidance or development Project Manager’s Skill sets

Summary on PMBOK® Guide Fifth Edition

Provides the all round guidance on project management

Lists the tools and techniques that can be used in a specific process

Guidance organized by Process groups & Knowledge areas

Knowledge on specific aspects of the project such as Contract management, Quality management

Provides guidance on leadership, motivational skills and other interpersonal skills

Guidance on Reporting techniques such as Earned Value Management for effective reporting

Guidance on the professional code of conduct of a project manager

No guidance on project management team responsibilities

No guidance on tailoring

Not much details on how exactly to proceed / step by step approach

Whilst outputs for every process are described the guidance on their contents is not provided

No knowledge covered on the post project activity of ensuring the project was successful from benefits point of view

Not enough details on the contents of plan and how they should be developed at varying levels of detail and by whom

Conclusion
PMP®; PRINCE2® are both recognized and respected across the world. Doing PMP® helps in developing the project management skills whereas PRINCE2® helps in understanding more from the project point of view. Whilst PMP® is recognized more in the US and US dominant countries, PRINCE2® is recognized in the British and their influenced countries. Having both definitely compliments and improves the marketability of a project manager!

Knowledge & Guidance

Criteria

PMP®

PRINCE2®

Recognition

Worldwide

Worldwide

Popularity

North America, Canada, Asia

UK, Western Europe, Australia

Reference Book

PMBOK®Guide

PRINCE2® Manual

What is it?

A Best Practice Guidance that can be tailored and modified

A methodology that defines the step-by-step approach on managing projects